Hills. I hate them. What Would Dirt Do?

[acc]

You mean, like, on a bike?
Bahahahahahaha.

[eminva]

@acc 16537 wrote:

I saw the number 26 on my speedometer as I cruised around Hains Point by myself.

Did you download your data to Strava? Did you get a QOM? You know, you really CAN be like Mr. Kelley.

I am more impressed that you are commuting on some not very bike friendly, infrastructure-free roads in the middle of Fairfax County. Kudos to you and I hope you are inspiring legions of future bike commuters to join you on those roads so things get better in the future.

Liz

[acc]

Inspire? Doubtful. My students know I ride into work and recognize my bike. I hope that decreases the likelihood it gets stolen. One morning I wore a leather jacket and they become excited thinking I also rode a motorcycle.

If I stepped back and carefully thought about what I was doing I’d laugh and put the bike in the shed.

But it’s curiosity that keeps me going. I wondered what a century would be like. Now I know. I wondered what blueberry soup tasted like so I rode Vasa. I wondered what it would be like to drag a bike on Metro. (About as bad as dragging a toddler in a stroller.) I wondered if I’d survive a dress-up ride like the Diamond Derby. (It was more fun than I thought.) I wondered what Hains Point would be like. Very fun.

Now I am wondering about Mt. Weather.

ann

[JimF22003]

@acc 16646 wrote:

Now I am wondering about Mt. Weather.

Do it! That’s great ride. Did anybody mention that there’s a little bit of a hill getting to it? :p

[vvill]

I’ve never done Mt. Weather but would like to try it too sometime. I’ve only been to Purcellville once and by then I was too tired to do anything but turn around and go home… slowly.

[jrenaut]

I just did 15th St NW past Meridian Hill Park (15th and Florida up to 15th and Euclid in Columbia Heights) pulling my Burley trailer with two kids and a bag of groceries (including a bottle of wine and a half-gallon of milk). Not quite the same challenge, but challenging nonetheless.

[PotomacCyclist]

Which hill is tougher, or at least steeper? 41st St. or the side path from Four Mile Run Trail in Glencarlyn Park leading up to Harrison St.? That path is in the middle of this map, not the less steep path nearby: http://g.co/maps/m7ag5

I’ve never ridden on 41st St. But I can say that the Glencarlyn path is the steepest route I’ve seen in the immediate D.C. area, though it’s not too long, maybe a couple hundred feet. That’s the only time that I was actually worried that I might flip over backward on my bike, the first time I rode up. Other hills are tough (like Walter Reed Drive) but I never felt like I would do a complete backflip with the bike.

I rode up Military Rd. a couple weeks ago. Didn’t seem to be too bad. I was kind of hoping for some longer hills. Maybe the best option is one of the roads heading up to Tenleytown in D.C. If only Wisconsin Ave. were more bike-friendly.

[eminva]

Oh my gosh, I’ve never done 41st Street, but both jrenaut and PotomacCyclist refer to hills that have humiliated me.

Jrenaut, I rode up that hill on the way home the very first day I bicycle commuted (after five years of inactivity). I had to pull over to the curb and rest, I didn’t even walk my bike, I just paused there to catch my breath. Another cyclist came along and asked me if I was okay. Oh, just fine, never mind that cardiac arrest or anything. I got smart after that and rode up 14th Street where the approach is slightly more gradual. I never attempted 15th Street again. Tomorrow I have to go up that way on bikeshare — perhaps I should attempt my old nemesis on CaBi? If I get stuck, it wouldn’t be the first time.

The Glencarlyn sidepath — that one looked good on paper. I had business at a medical office near there this spring and that looked like the easiest way off the trail. I was totally unprepared for the ascent so I just got off and walked the bike for that last bit. I was thinking of trying it again when I happen to pass near there on my mountain bike, which is geared lower, to see if that would be better.

Liz

[TwoWheelsDC]

I found the Glencarlyn path on accident and I was none too pleased. And I was in the wrong gear and it was too late to downshift. I think it’s a decent amount steeper than 41st, unless you count the walkway part, I think that’s about the same.

[jrenaut]

@eminva 18809 wrote:

Tomorrow I have to go up that way on bikeshare — perhaps I should attempt my old nemesis on CaBi? If I get stuck, it wouldn’t be the first time.

I think you should give it another shot. However, if you aren’t feeling up to it, cut over to 11th St (15th to W isn’t a bad way to get there, there’s a bike lane up the hill on 11th starting at Florida).

[acc]

@eminva 18809 wrote:

Oh my gosh, I’ve never done 41st Street, but both jrenaut and PotomacCyclist refer to hills that have humiliated me.

Tim Kelley can give you some advice about making it. I know you can do it.

[creadinger]

@vvill 16683 wrote:

I’ve never done Mt. Weather but would like to try it too sometime. I’ve only been to Purcellville once and by then I was too tired to do anything but turn around and go home… slowly.

Speaking of Purcellville – is Route 7 rideable near Bluemont? I wanted to ride the section between Snickersville Turnpike and Williams Gap Rd in a new loop, but looking at it on streetview I’m not sure if the shoulder is wide enough for a bike.

I think it was on MMR I saw some long distance charity event had used it on their leg from Winchester to DC, starting around Berryville.

[DaveK]

@TwoWheelsDC 18811 wrote:

I found the Glencarlyn path on accident and I was none too pleased. And I was in the wrong gear and it was too late to downshift. I think it’s a decent amount steeper than 41st, unless you count the walkway part, I think that’s about the same.

Can someone drop a pin on a GMap so I can see which path you’re talking about? And don’t show americancyclo or Tim Kelley. I have my reasons why.

[americancyclo]

I think they mean this: http://g.co/maps/tw4ss

[txgoonie]

@americancyclo 18839 wrote:

I think they mean this: http://g.co/maps/tw4ss

That’s essentially where it is, but I think the trail next to it is the steeper climb. http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=5430796 It’s cool b/c it’s followed by a nice curvy, gradual downhill. When I lived over there, I’d do repeats of that to judge my fitness. It’s uncomfortable, no doubt, but so short with such a nice recovery zone that it’s super doable to muscle it out, especially in the granny.

[Author]

Posts